Janelle Emmanuel, center, is the new co-response clinician for the Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham Police Departments. (Photo courtesy Norfolk Police Department)
NORFOLK — Norfolk Police Chief Timothy Heinz, Plainville Police Chief James Floyd and Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath are pleased to welcome a new co-response mental health clinician.
Janelle Emmanuel began working as the co-response clinician for all three departments on Sept. 4. Emmanuel, who has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California, has experience as a crisis counselor, clinical social worker and case worker and group counselor for correctional facilities. She has worked as a crisis counselor at the Alcott Center and a domestic violence advocate for Second Step in Newton.
The position is fully grant-funded through the Co-Response Jail Diversion Program (JDP). The program aims to redirect individuals committing nonviolent offenses from the criminal justice system to more appropriate community-based behavioral health services. It is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Co-response clinicians provide residents facing mental health crises and trauma with an immediate, on-scene support system and follow-up resources.
“Our officers frequently encounter individuals facing mental health crises, even when responding to routine calls,” Chief Heinz said. “Adding a dedicated co-response mental health clinician to our team is a vital step in enhancing our approach to public safety. This will allow us to respond with the care and expertise these situations demand and ensure people receive the appropriate support rather than being funneled into the criminal justice system. We are thrilled to have Janelle on board to provide an additional avenue for community members to access vital resources.”
Due to a statewide shortage of clinicians interested in this type of work, the departments initially had difficulty filling the role, even when utilizing an agency they were contracted with.
Through innovative thinking, the departments received approval to make the clinician a Town of Norfolk employee while still being fully grant-funded. This allowed the departments to offer a higher salary and competitive municipal benefits package. The departments received a $99,999 grant covering the co-response clinician’s salary, benefits, training and equipment.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Janelle to this role,” Chief Floyd said. “It was important to us to have a full-time, dedicated co-response clinician to allow them to become familiar with our communities and build strong relationships with the people we serve.”
Emmanuel was selected as the standout candidate following an interview process with Norfolk Chief Heinz, Norfolk Deputy Chief Michelle Palladini, Plainville Chief Floyd, Wrentham Chief McGrath and Wrentham Sgt. Derek Cassidy.
Emmanuel is currently enrolled in William James College’s Graduate Certificate Program in Crisis Response and Behavioral Health. It is a first-of-its-kind credentialing tool for arrest diversion, offering cutting-edge education and training for law enforcement and mental health clinicians working in partnership.
“I’m thrilled to begin my role as a co-response clinician and to collaborate with law enforcement in providing compassionate and timely support to individuals in crisis,” Emmanuel said. “This unique partnership allows us to bridge the gap between mental health care and public safety, offering a more holistic approach in addressing the needs of our community members.”
The co-response mental health clinician is shared equally between Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham via an intermunicipal agreement. The clinician works Monday through Thursday to cover portions of the day and evening shifts and rotates through each of the three communities as needed.
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